RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Pentagon says a U.S. Navy SEAL from North Carolina has died while fighting in Afghanistan.

The military says Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Joshua Thomas Harris drowned on Saturday. The Navy SEAL special warfare operator from Lexington, N.C., was swept away while crossing a river during combat operations.

Harris' mother, Evelyn Harris, told the News and Observer of Raleigh that her 36-year-old son was an all-conference football player at Lexington High School and graduated from Davidson College with a studio art degree.

Harris joined the Navy in August 2000 and joined SEAL Team Ten based at Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Va.

He had also served in Iraq and was awarded the Bronze Star.